The United Nations system, in particular the World Health Organization, plays a pivotal role in coordinating responses to epidemics, in accordance with its mandate, and in supporting national, regional and international efforts to prevent, mitigate and address the impacts of infectious diseases and epidemics in accordance with the goal of advancing the 2030 Agenda.

We need to recognise the primary role and responsibility of Governments and the indispensable contribution of relevant stakeholders in tackling global health challenges, especially women, who make up the majority of the world’s health workers.

UN member states commit to ensure inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory participation, with special attention to those, who are vulnerable or in vulnerable situations with the highest chance of epidemic infection.

 International Day of Epidemic Preparedness conducted annually in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national contexts and priorities, through education and awareness-raising activities, in order to highlight the importance of the prevention of, preparedness for and partnership against epidemics.

Please Click on the below link for more information: https://www.waitaramedical.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5499&action=edit

The Waitara Family Medical Practice Team wishes you and your family a joyous Christmas!

World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed annually on October 6th. It’s a day to celebrate, raise awareness, and advocate for people with cerebral palsy (CP), the most common physical disability in childhood. The day aims to ensure that people with CP have the same rights, access, and opportunities as everyone else. 

There are more than 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy. Another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. Many people with cerebral palsy have other related vision, hearing, communication and mobility needs. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement.

It is a complex disability:

• 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk
• 1 in 4 cannot walk
• 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability
• 1 in 4 have epilepsy.

Get involved by :

• Raising awareness on social media
• Educating the community
• Donating to the foundation

For more information, visit:https://worldcpday.org/

Mental Health Month is celebrated each year in the month of October in NSW. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not.

Mental Health Month 2025 Theme

“Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey”

This year’s theme, “Taking Steps on Your Wellbeing Journey,” is all about celebrating steps that we take towards improving our mental health and wellbeing. The theme encourages us to embrace progress, growth, and ongoing self-improvement, while reminding us that wellbeing is not a final destination but a continuous journey.

There will be times when we feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated—and that’s okay. Steps such as reaching out to someone or pausing for a moment, can help us move forward, even when progress feels slow. Our goal is to support individuals in identifying steps to improve their mental health and wellbeing while recognising that the path isn’t always straightforward. This year encourages help-seeking behaviours and fosters a supportive environment where people feel empowered to ask for help, understanding that setbacks are a natural part of the journey and can lead to greater compassion and strength.

Please click on the link for more informtion: https://wayahead.org.au/mentalhealthmonth/about-us/

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s number one killer. Combined, conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels – such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure – kill more than 20.5 million every year. The majority of these deaths happen in low- and middle-income countries.

We want to bring this number down – way down. And there’s hope: 80% of premature deaths from CVD are preventable. By making small changes to our lifestyle – what we eat and drink, how much we exercise, and how we manage stress – we can better manage our heart health and beat CVD.

Please click on the following link for more information

https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/about-whd/

More than 720 000 people die by suicide every year. For each suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts.
Suicide can occur at any stage of life and in all regions of the world. In 2021, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, and 73% of all suicides happened in low- and middle-income countries. Almost 20% of global suicides were due to pesticide self-poisoning.

While the link between suicide and mental health conditions (in particular, depression and alcohol use disorders) and a previous suicide attempt is well established in high-income countries, many suicides happen impulsively in moments of crisis. Further risk factors for suicide include experience of loss, loneliness, discrimination, relationship dispute, financial problems, chronic pain and illness, violence, abuse, and conflict or other humanitarian emergencies.

Suicides and suicide attempts have a ripple effect that impacts on families, friends, colleagues, communities and societies.

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP). WHO has been co-sponsor of the day. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness around the globe that suicide can be prevented.

Please click on the following link for more information https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-suicide-prevention-day

Asthma Week is Asthma Australia’s annual awareness-raising activity held on 1 – 7 September each year, for the more than 2.8 million people with asthma in Australia.

Asthma is a serious condition that leads to the deaths of around 400 Australians each year. But, in many cases, asthma is also a manageable condition, and people can live a full and uninhibited life unhindered by its symptoms.

Asthma affects people of all ages, from childhood to adulthood, and it can appear at all ages and stages of life. Just because you don’t have symptoms, it doesn’t mean the asthma is gone. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing, breathlessness, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. This is because the airways are narrowed temporarily.

Please Click here for more information

https://asthma.org.au/get-involved/events/asthma-week/

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) – held on 31 August every year – is the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose.

There is an international crisis of drug overdose. Over the last twenty years drug overdose deaths have increased significantly in many parts of the world. Each year a record number of deaths are reported, predominantly driven by the misuse of opioids, often in combination with other drugs including benzodiazepines, stimulants and alcohol.

Please click on the following Link

https://www.overdoseday.com/

Bullying No Way Week is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative for schools. It provides an opportunity for schools to create a shared understanding about bullying behaviours and share their bullying prevention policies and strategies.

The national week of action unites government, Catholic and independent schools and their communities across the country. Together, we can foster practical approaches to prevent bullying in Australian schools.

Please click on this link for more information https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/preventing-bullying/national-week-of-action

Supported by WHO, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners, World Breastfeeding Week is held in the first week of August every year.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival and yet currently, fewer than half of infants under 6 months old are exclusively breastfed.

In 2018, a World Health Assembly resolution endorsed World Breastfeeding Week as an important health promotion strategy. With a different theme each year, it aims to promote the enabling environments that help women to breastfeed – including support in the community and the workplace, with adequate protections in government policies and laws – as well as sharing information on breastfeeding benefits and strategies.

Please click on the following link

https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-breastfeeding-week